Full disclosure – this an opinion article and is written by a cyclist who doesn’t drive. So if I sound a bit biased, that’s why.
Picture this: You’re commuting to work on your bike, breezing along, thinking about all the plebs stuck on trains. There’s a car coming along, so you pull to the side to let them pass. They whizz past as close as they can, revving loudly as they go. Was that necessary? The road is wide enough to pass at a normal distance, and it’s literally a school zone.
It’s like this pretty much every ride. The honks, the close passes, the muttered insults, and the fingers, oh the fingers. I couldn’t help but wonder, why do Aussie drivers hate cyclists? I’ve got a few theories.
Theory 1: Drivers don’t see us as real people
It sounds absurd, but I fully believe it. And there’s research to back up the idea that some drivers genuinely don’t see cyclists as fully human. A study from Monash, QUT and Melbourne University found that more than half of car drivers
think cyclists aren’t completely human, with many comparing us to insects like cockroaches or mosquitoes.
The study also linked these beliefs to deliberate acts of aggression, with 11% of drivers admitting to intentionally driving their car close to a cyclist, 9% admitting to cutting one off, and 17% confessing to using their car to block a cyclist.
Dr Alexa Delbosc, a Senior Lecturer at Monash University who led the study, explained that dehumanisation makes it easier to justify hatred or aggression. When someone doesn’t see you as fully human, your safety, comfort, or even your life seems less important. This creates a vicious cycle. Cyclists who feel dehumanised may also respond with hostility or risky behaviour, which only reinforces drivers’ negative perceptions.
Theory 2: They think we’re dangerous and don’t respect road rules
I’ll admit it: there are cyclists who ignore the rules. I’ve seen people run red lights or weave recklessly through traffic, but I’m not like other cyclists. I follow rules, I always signal when I’m turning, and I’m never taking up the entire road.
Okay fine, I’ve cut someone off once. Just ONCE. I can’t stop once I’m going okay? Nobody’s perfect. It’s not like drivers are following road rules all the time anyway. I should know, I’ve been hit by a car. That’s why it’s really not fair that every cyclist should be labelled the same way.
And while we’re on the topic of road rules, many drivers seem to think the roads belong exclusively to cars. Cyclists actually do have the same legal rights to the road as you do, so don’t shout “Get off the road!” to me now.
Theory 3: Most people don’t like change
Let’s face it: the rise of cycling culture challenges the status quo. Dedicated bike lanes, reduced car access in city centres, and campaigns promoting cycling all signal a shift away from car dominance (and I’m all for it).
For some drivers, this feels like a threat to their convenience and way of life. I get it – change is hard. Apple changed the design layout of the camera roll and I’m still mad about it. But the benefits of cycling actually extend to everyone, including drivers. Fewer cars on the road mean less traffic and more available parking spaces, so what’s not to like?
Theory 4: There’s something else going on in their lives
Here’s what I think is actually going on. The truth is, most people who rage at cyclists probably aren’t angry at us specifically – they’re just angry.
Whether it’s work stress, personal problems, or simply being stuck in traffic, we cyclists become an easy target for their frustration. We’re not inside cars, out in the open, and wearing lycra from head to toe for some reason (really asking for it here).
It’s not fair, but it’s part of sharing the road with people who are already on edge. But I'm here to help. If you see me on the road, stop by and have a chat, tell me what’s really going on. Otherwise, I’ll be on my merry way dodging your close passes.
